One of Pete Carroll’s top jobs of the post-bowl period was “competing” to convince his top underclassmen to return instead of declaring for the NFL draft.

Clay Helton has a different approach. He met with USC’s draft prospects before the Rose Bowl and is waiting to hear back from them this week.

Here are the four players who might turn pro, with predictions on what they decide:

ADOREE’ JACKSON

• Why he might go: That ankle injury at the end of the Rose Bowl was probably enough to convince Jackson not to test fate with another year in college. What else can he accomplish at USC? He won the Thorpe Award. He’s a unanimous All-American. And maybe not all NFL teams will remember he gave up seven touchdown passes this season.

• Why it matters: Jackson might be inconsistent, but have you seen how the other cornerbacks played? There is no heir apparent. Freshman Jack Jones will be the expected replacement but did not get much playing time before the Rose Bowl. The secondary immediately becomes an issue when Jackson says he is going pro.

• Prediction: Jackson has given little indication of his plans, but within the program he is believed to favor turning pro. The fact he does not seem interested in track-and-field this spring seems a good hint he wants to play in the NFL, even though scouts consider him a second-day pick.

JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER

• Why he might go: Smith-Schuster’s numbers were way down from last season. He caught 89 passes for 1,454 yards in 2015, but had only 70 catches for 914 yards in 2016. It might help USC to spread the ball to more receivers, but it can be frustrating if you were used to being the guy. Does Smith-Schuster really want to deal with another season with a bunch of nagging injuries (broken hand in 2015, sore back in 2016) without getting paid? Like Jackson, he is not going to get better with another college season.

• Why it matters: In the Sam Darnold era, any receiver can emerge in a given game. Look at Deontay Burnett’s 13 receptions in the Rose Bowl. But it is unfair to diminish Smith-Schuster’s contributions. He drew constant double-teams, which allowed others to get open, and constantly came up with the highlight catches, like his one-handed grab in the Rose Bowl. Next year, no one will be able to make the seemingly impossible catch like him.

Prediction: Unlike the poker-faced Jackson, Smith-Schuster sounds like he wants to turn pro. It would be a shock if he returned, especially when some mock drafts show he is a first-round selection.

DAMIEN MAMA

• Why he might go: He is a three-year starter at offensive guard and might want a new challenge.

• Why it matters: It probably matters more for Mama than USC. He needs to improve his quickness and could use another year of weight training to get lighter for the NFL. Still, USC coach Clay Helton does not want to lose one of his most experienced players.

Prediction: Mama would probably prefer to turn pro, but logic should prevail, especially if his NFL evaluation showed he would be a late-round pick. He should return for his senior season.

CHRIS HAWKINS

• Why he might go: This is an interesting case. Hawkins did not start 10 of the final 11 games of the season and the coaches are high on freshman safety Jamel Cook, who redshirted this season. Hawkins might also want to play his original position of cornerback instead of safety.

• Why it matters: Hawkins was a team leader this season and had a good attitude even after losing his starting job. Despite not starting, he played a significant amount the entire season and finished third on the team with 70 tackles. He also intercepted two passes.

Prediction: Even if Hawkins does not turn pro, he could transfer to another school and be immediately eligible because he will have his degree. Still, if you were third in tackles, why not come back for another season? Especially if you would not get drafted.

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